Tokyo · Around Ueno

National Museum of Nature and Science

How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24

Japan's national museum of natural history and science, with two main buildings: the Japan Gallery and the Global Gallery.

Nearest station: 5 min walk from Ueno Station
Hours: 9:00–17:00; last entry 30 minutes before closing (special exhibitions differ)
Admission: Permanent exhibits: adults and university students ¥630; free for elementary to high-school students. Also free for ages 65 and over and under 18 (show proof of age).

What to see

Japan Gallery: a Neo-Renaissance building with a central open hall, a white dome and stained glass.
Origins of the Japanese Archipelago: a Japan Gallery display that includes the first dinosaur found in Japan.
Exploring the mystery of dinosaurs: part of the Global Gallery B1 display on environmental change and evolution.
Myriad-year clock: shown under "the dawn of modern science and technology in Japan".

History

Founded in 1877, it is one of Japan's oldest museums and the only national museum of natural history and science technology.

Getting there

A five-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station, or ten minutes from the front exit of Keisei Ueno Station.

Address：7-20 Ueno Park, Taito, Tokyo

Directions in Google Maps →Official website →

Before you go

Closed Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and 28 Dec–1 Jan; open every day in August. Global Gallery basement 3 has been closed for renewal since 8 September 2026, and part of the second floor is also closed.

Around Ueno

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Nearby sights

← Tokyo guide: trains from Tokyo

Sources

Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.